pitner



, `GARRIAGF TOP. NQ.'376,414, I Patented Jan. 10, 1888.k

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Aa folded position.

HENRY B. PITN ER, OF LA PORTE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN F.CROFT,

OF SAME PLACE.

CARRIAGE-Top.

SPECIFICATION forming ypart of Letters Patent `No. 376,4.-14I datedJanuary 10, 1888.

Application filed August 10, 1887. Serial No. 246,608. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, 'HENRY B. PITNER, a citizen of the United States,residing at La Porte, in the county of La Porte and State of Indiana,have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Carriage-Tops; and Ido declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description ofthe invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itap pertains to make and use the same.

This invention has relation to improvements in carriage-tops having afolding front extension. f

The invention will be fully understood from the following descriptionand claims when taken in connection with the annexed drawings, in which-Figure 1 is a side View of a carriage-top,

showing my improvements applied.4 Figl 2 is a similar view of the same,showing the top in Fig. 3 is a perspective detail View, and Fig. 4E is asectional detail View of the hinge for the front extension.

Referring by letter to the said drawings, A B C indicate the top bows,which may be of any ordinary or approved construction, having the usualcovering.

D indicates the props, and E the braces.

The front bow, O, is cut at a point, a, and a piece removed equal to thewidth or thickness of the bow F of the forward extension, G. Thetransverse section b of this forward bow, C, is then secured to the endsof the forward horizontal bow, d, by means of the angular plates H andscrews or other suitable devices. It will thus be seen that as the pieceremoved from the forward bow, A, is about the same size as the width ofthe bow d, when the parts are united, as set forth, the bow will be ofthe proper length.

The hinge or joint for the front extension is designed to be a concealedone. In making this joint I first secure to the upper ends of the faceof the front bows a metallic plate, c, and perforate the same, as shownat f, the said ends of the bows being also recessed, as shown, for thepassage of the hinge bolt or rod into the perforation of the plate, aswill be now explained. The hinge-rod I is threaded on its straightportion, as shown, and isv passed is held by means of a nut, h. Thelower end of this rod, after passing through the recess in thereof, isbent upwardly and into or against the under side of the said bow d.rIhis joint will permit the front extension to fold down upon` the frontbow when the top has been let down and form a hood or storm-covertherefor, as more fully shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The propconnects the middle bow with the seat frame or body in the usual manner,and from this latter bow the hinged brace extends to and is connectedwith the bow d of the front extension. In the construction illustratedit will be seen that the brace is connected with the bow d in advance ofthe hingejoint, and when the former has been straightened out willprevent the front extension from folding, but will be held securely inan extended position. While I have shown and described my storm cover orhood as applied to a two-bow top and the brace connected therewith inadvance of the hinge-joint, yet it is obvious that the said hood may beused on any form of top and that the hinged braces may be omittedaltogether.

ployment of a hinged hood, which forms a when the top' has been raised.I attach imY portance to the'fact ,that the hood forms the transverseupper portion of the forward brace.

It will also be observed that my improvements may be applied tocarriages at present i'n use without impairing their usefulness inanymanner whatever, and that such improvements may be applied to newcarriages at a minimum expense.

Havingdescribedthisinvention,whatIclaim 1sf ,r 1. A carriage-top havingthe transverse portion of its front bow hinged and carrying an extensionwhich forms a storm-shield when the top is let down, substantially asspecified.

2. The combination,with afolding carriagetop having the transverseportion of its front bow hinged and carrying a front extension,substantially as specified. 1

through an aperture, g, in the bow d, where it Y the front bow and theaperture in the plate- The gist of the invention consists in the emvstorm cover or shield when the top is let down, 8o and which will assumean extended position.

IOO

3. The co1nbination,with a folding earriagethe jointed braces connectingthe front extentop, of the front extension hinged to the forsion withthe middle bow of the top, so that ward bow, the Said bow havingrecesses, as the said extension may belocked bythe braces,

shown, and the perforated plates secured substantially as specied. l5 5thereto, and the threaded hingerods and nut, I In testimony whereof Iaiix mysignature in substantially as specified. presence of twowitnesses.

4. The combination withafoldin'carriage- T T f ,1 Y top, of the frontexteiision hinged tibo the for- HEB Rl L' PITBLR ward bow, the said bowhaving recesses, as Vitnesses: 1o shown, and the perforated platessecured thereto, the threaded hinge rods and nut, and

GEO. O. DORLAND, D. P. BEMETHAUR.

